Convention Industry Council Releases New Data on Economic Impact of Meetings Industry
The Convention Industry Council released data on the Economic Significance of Meetings to the US Economy. With new figures showing significant increases in meeting participants, tax contribution, and job growth from 2009 to 2012. During 2012, 1.83 million meetings were held in the US, attended by 225 million participants, providing more than $115 billion in contribution to GDP to fuel the economy. Meetings contribution to GDP surpasses that of the air transportation, motion picture, sound recording, performing arts, and spectator sport industries. Meetings also generated $88 billion in federal, state, and local taxes to fund and support communities across the country. Read more about the study.

Industry Veteran Ed Hardy Receives President’s Award from Country Radio BroadcastersCountry Radio Broadcasters annual seminar kicked off February 18 in Nashville with the organization’s Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards ceremony, during which former president of GAC and current NCVC board chair Ed Hardy received the esteemed President’s Award. The award honors an individual who has made a significant contribution to the marketing, production, growth, and development of the Country Radio Seminar and the multiple services that Country Radio Broadcasters provides to the country radio and music communities.

Google Fiber: Show Your Support
Music City is one of nine cities selected as a potential Google Fiber City. To learn more about Google Fiber and what it offers, visit http://fiber.google.com. The ultra, high-speed internet and TV service would greatly benefit Nashville's residents, schools, tourism, and industry. Show your support for Google Fiber and write your councilperson, expressing your interest and concern in acquiring this service. (Find your councilperson here.) Please encourage your friends, family, and co-workers to actively support this venture as well. You may also sign up for updates on the Google Fiber page, and join the movement on Facebook and Twitter.

2014 CMA Music Festival LP Field Tickets Sold Out
Tickets for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field are sold out a record-setting 15 weeks in advance of the 2014 CMA Music Festival. For the second year, demand for four-day ticket packages means that single night tickets will not be available for LP Field concerts. CMA has sold out of tickets but the Nashville CVC has CMA Music Festival Ticket Packages available in various ticket levels. They include 4-day tickets and a 4-night stay at a Nashville hotel. See visitmusiccity.com/cmafest for details. Though the nightly concerts are sold out, there are numerous other entertainment and music stages, plus special events, and activities throughout downtown Nashville to enjoy during CMA Music Festival including Fan Fair X at the Music City Center ($10/day or $25 for four days) or free music throughout downtown. Visit CMAfest.com for details.

Bonnaroo Ticket + Shuttle Packages Available Now
The lineup for the 2014 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival was announced last week. Elton John, Jack White, Lionel Richie, Vampire Weekend, Skrillex, The Avett Brothers, Ice Cube, and so many more will play the festival in Manchester June 12-15. Ticket + Shuttle Packages combined with the Hotel + Merch Packages allow visitors to stay in Nashville and play at Bonnaroo - the best of both worlds. Get full details on the event at visitmusiccity.com/bonnaroo.

Southwest Airlines Announces Nonstop Flight from Dallas to Nashville
Beginning November 2, 2014, Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop service from Dallas Love Field to Nashville International Airport. Read the press release.

Save the Date: Hospitality Industry Annual Luncheon May 7
The NCVC invites you to the National Travel & Tourism Week Celebration Lunch on Wednesday, May 7, at the Nashville Convention Center. The event will include remarks from special guest Chris Thompson, President and CEO of Brand USA, as well as the presentation of the Annual Music City Hitmakers Award. Mark your calendars! Additional details will be forthcoming.

Music City Pizza
From the guitar pick-shaped logo and music-themed décor to clever menu items and live music, Music City Pizza is serving up Nashville’s music brand in numerous ways. While enjoying live music, patrons can browse the vinyl LP menu and partake in one of the delicious pizzas or calzones, such as The Roadie, The Green Room, or The Groupie Pocket. Music City Pizza also offers “record deals,” a unique opportunity for pizza and music fans to "support the musicians, artists, bands, local businesses, charities, entrepreneurs, and community leaders they believe in." Specific pies are named after a local group or artist and MCP donates a dollar to the pie’s namesake. The restaurant has joined forces and enhanced 12th & Porter, one of the longest standing music venues in Nashville, to offer live music almost every night. What started as a craving for pizza has evolved into an appreciation for all things Nashville! For completely embracing the Music City Brand and for making it so delicious, we name Music City Pizza as this month’s Brand Champion.

Tax CollectionsDecember tax collections were $2,793,962, an increase of 5.9% over December 2012. Tax collections year-to-date are $20,562,095, an increase of 18.9% over year-to-date in 2012.

January 2014 hotel data for Davidson County

Demand (rooms sold) increased 5.8% over January 2013

Occupancy increased 0.2% over the previous year

Average Daily Rate (ADR) increased 8.9% over the previous year

Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) increased 9.2% over the previous year

Hotel Revenue increased 15.3% over the previous year

Supply increased 5.6% over the previous year

Among the Top 25 Markets, Nashville had third largest increase in rooms sold. Nashville saw the fourth largest increase in ADR, the fifth largest increase in room revenue, the sixth largest increase in revPAR, and above average growth in occupancy.

Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLPBradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is a regional law firm with a global perspective. The firm has more than 440 attorneys serving individuals, emerging businesses, and established regional, national and international companies. Clients rely on them for innovative legal services that reflect a deep understanding of their business realities. They are one of the largest firms in the Southeast, with offices strategically located in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and the District of Columbia. These offices provide an extensive geographic base from which to serve clients on a regional basis, as well as clients located elsewhere in the country and the world. They frequently serve as national coordinating counsel, regional counsel, and statewide counsel for clients in various industries. The lawyers work for major construction companies in Europe and Asia, for multinational pharmaceutical companies in New York and California, for major insurance and financial clients in Texas, Indiana, and Alabama, and for national tire manufacturers in Tennessee and Georgia.